When I work with interns for their first times preaching, I always make them read The Four Pages of the Sermon. It gives a great outline for a sermon (the four pages). The first page is the problem in the text, the second, the problem in the congregation. The third page is the hope in… Read More
RCL: God’s Got Us Covered
Many years ago, I sent out post cards to about 400 senior high youth that said the following: Would you marry a prostitute? Come to Sunday School and find out. Needless to say, I received a number of phone calls from concerned parents. I also had a full Sunday school class for a few weeks.… Read More
Narrative Lectionary: Come Back to Me (Hosea 11:1-9)
We remain with the Northern Kingdom this week, as the prophet Hosea, about a hundred years after the ministry of Elijah, continues to entreat the people to return to faithful worship and covenant loyalty to their God. The journey Hosea takes is extraordinary. The scroll begins with God telling the prophet to act out the… Read More